My Mute Bride

Not long after Victor left, Rachel heard the doorbell ring.

Originally thinking he left something behind, she opened the door, only to see a courier.

“Ms. Rachel Hudson?”

Upon hearing that, Rachel nodded.

“There are two intracity express parcels for you. Please sign here.”

Startled, she signed for the parcels, thereafter receiving a cake and a paper bag.

Right now on the table, there was still half an uneaten cake that Victor had rushed out to buy at noon upon finding out it was her birthday.

So, who bought the cake that the courier delivered?

Setting it aside on the table for now, she pulled a rectangular suede box out of the paper bag.

With a click, she opened it and discovered a silver-colored necklace in the box that glimmered underneath the light

The pendant was in the simple design of a small sun with a hollow center.

Putting down the box, she found a card on top of the cake box that simply read ‘Happy Birthday’ without any signature.

Dumbfounded, she stared at the items until her phone started vibrating.

It was a text message from Julian reading, ‘Did you receive what I sent?’

Immediately, she understood. ‘I did. I was wondering who would remember my birthday.’

‘Don’t forget that you’re a patient of mine. It’s not strange that I would remember your birthday.’

‘Thank you.

‘You’re welcome. Are you free? I just finished work; come down for a walk with me!

Looking at the time, she agreed, ‘Okay.’

At this hour after dinner, the community was lively. All of the houses were lit up, and the sound of children laughing could be heard around the neighborhood as they ran around playing.

could even offer some to anyone, a group

cake is

a ‘wait’ motion with her hand, she lifted a knife and a paper plate, preparing to cut into the cake for

box to the side. “Today is Miss Rachel’s birthday. Before she treats you

the group, which happened to be a

sing the

close her eyes and make

must blow out the

shook her head to indicate to Julian that there

lit the candles and had the children sing ‘Happy Birthday’ in unison. The

“Make a wish.”

There’s no need.

mommy says you have to say it in your heart and

she found a little girl who wasn’t even at table height yet looking up at her with pretty, sparkling

and, under the gazes of the children, clasped her hands and made a wish.

thank you!” their parents

off, dabbing icing on each other’s faces. Just like that, the strangers in the community suddenly seemed closer

Rachel finally smiled for

be so courteous with me.” Walking her back to her apartment building, Julian continued, “The most important thing right now is to take

I never wanted it, anyway, so I might as well pretend it

and told her, “Go on upstairs, then. It’s been getting

turned and headed

inside her apartment and about

propped open by

saw Justin glowering at her, his darkened face made all the more grotesque by the centipede-like

he out on business? she

he slid sideways into the house and shut the door before surveying the

see you’ve been getting along

took two steps back. Why are

as he pulled off his necktie and threw it onto the

like unmelting icebergs as he sneered, “I suppose you wouldn’t want me to ruin

he approached her, forcing her back inch

no idea

staggered